All data is either stored permanently on ROM (Read Only Memory) or temporarily on RAM (Random Access Memory). RAM and ROM are primary storage. Many people mistake a hard drive as primary, but RAM and ROM are primary. ROM is used to store permanent programs used to boot up the computer and detect hardware. One kind of program stored on ROM is the BIOS (Basic In/Basic Out).
RAM stores programs that are running on your computer. RAM is not permanent, it is temporary meaning when power is turned off everything is wiped out. Programs are taken from the hard drive and stored on RAM to make everything faster. When users work on something like a report, if they don’t save, it will stay in the RAM. When the computer is turned off, RAM is wiped out and so is the report. So it’s a good idea to save your work to a flash drive or your P drive folder.
Courtesy of Libray.Thinkquest.org
R0M
RAM
Short for Random Access Memory, RAM, also known as main memory or system memory, is a term commonly used to describe the memory within a computer. Unlike ROM, RAM requires power; if power is lost, all data is also lost. Below is an example image of a 512MB DIMM memory stick.
RAM and ROM
All data is either stored permanently on ROM (Read Only Memory) or temporarily on RAM (Random Access Memory). RAM and ROM are primary storage. Many people mistake a hard drive as primary, but RAM and ROM are primary. ROM is used to store permanent programs used to boot up the computer and detect hardware. One kind of program stored on ROM is the BIOS (Basic In/Basic Out).
RAM stores programs that are running on your computer. RAM is not permanent, it is temporary meaning when power is turned off everything is wiped out. Programs are taken from the hard drive and stored on RAM to make everything faster. When users work on something like a report, if they don’t save, it will stay in the RAM. When the computer is turned off, RAM is wiped out and so is the report. So it’s a good idea to save your work to a flash drive or your P drive folder.
Courtesy of Libray.Thinkquest.org
Short for Random Access Memory, RAM, also known as main memory or system memory, is a term commonly used to describe the memory within a computer. Unlike ROM, RAM requires power; if power is lost, all data is also lost. Below is an example image of a 512MB DIMM memory stick.